Speculation is rife throughout the Arabic press that Washington is considering the use of nuclear weapons against Iraq in a bid to seize Iraqi oil.
The Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds of Monday January 27, for example, wrote a front page headline declaring that not only is the U.S. ready to launch a war by itself but is also considering nuclear options.
The Jordanian newspaper, Al-Arab Al-Yaum, went as far as to say that “Washington is threatening Iraq with nuclear weapons.”
The major London-based newspaper, A-Sharq Al-Awsat ran its main headline that Washington has already entrusted Great Britain the task of looking after the security of Iraq after the collapse of Saddam.
The notable exception on the issue of nuclear weapons is the Iraqi media. The Iraqi newspapers and television stations, in contrast, prefer to emphasize international delegations supporting Iraq and international opposition to the war on Iraq. The Iraqi government-controlled press is showing increasing concern over the risk of war and is obviously seeking to calm its population by running headlines on international support for Iraq. Saddam fears his generals may defect should a war break out. The U.S. has already announced that it intends to put Iraqi generals on trial for war crimes should they carry out Saddam’s threats of using non-conventional warfare.
These rumors seem to be based on an AFP report quoting a question posed to the White House Chief of Staff, Andrew Card. Card announced that “no decision is being ruled out” should there be military action against Iraq.